Taxi rape jury hear Crown, defence's final arguments

Lawyers for the Crown and defence have completed their closing addresses at the retrial of a former Wellington taxi driver accused of raping a passenger.

Abdirazak Mussa, 56, is facing two charges of rape and one of abduction in Wellington District Court.

Mr Mussa's lawyer, Donald Stevens, told the jury on Frida that there were many inconsistencies in the version of events given by the complainant at the previous trial and the present one, and the Crown had failed to prove the allegations.

However, Crown prosecutor Kristy McDonald said Mr Mussa's version of events is a fabrication and his description of the complainant making overt sexual overtures to him is a fantasy.

Ms McDonald said the complainant might have been foolish to go to Mr Mussa's home for a drink, but it did not automatically follow that she consented to have sex with him.

She said several witnesses spoke about subsequent changes in the complainant's demeanour, which were consistent with her having been raped as she described.